In multi-cat households, any loss alters the dynamic which changes the behaviour of the remaining cats.
It may take time and may not even be noticeable, depending on what had been the status of the departed family member.
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Himalayan cats have been special to me ever since Yeti came into my life.
She was just 5 weeks old when she arrived as a Christmas present in 1986. I adored her.
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After Yeti died in 2003, my very kind colleagues arranged for me to have Thimphu.
Even my curmudgeonly father approved of Tim.
He was precious.
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At about the time I moved to a large house for the purpose of fostering cats, I read about an elderly Himalayan that was in need of a home, so Georgy joined us.
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Georgy had only one eye.
He had been rescued from a bad situation and was in in a very sad state, but he soon settled in with my assorted bunch.
He got Panther’s approval and the others shrugged:
“What’s one more?”
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Georgy was a dear old boy.
In the meantime I had taken in another one-eyed Himalayan as a foster. I knew the moment I saw her that I would not be giving her up for adoption.
She came upstairs after Georgy died.
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It was touching how Lucy attached herself to me.
She always needed to know where I was and she tried to round me up, following me as I did my chores and making her funny little “Ah” sound.
My other cats did not challenge Lucy’s right to be beside me. She did not want to be cuddled or sit on my lap, but no other cat was allowed to either.
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Willow was barely more than a kitten when she walked down my hill and into my heart.
There was no doubt in her mind or mine that she was where she had to be.
Lucy explained seniority rights to her and Willow knew better than to challenge them.
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Technically, Lily was by now my senior cat but she relinquished her rights in the interest of harmony and took herself downstairs to live mostly with Grant and his gang.
There were no altercations, so one presumed that set of rules was sorted out amicably.
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In about June last year, Lucy became blind and as we tried to help her and protect her, she became even more attached to me.
Thinking back, I suspect her sudden blindness may have been neurological and I believe it is what took her life so unexpectedly at the end of September.
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We expected the dynamic to change, but you can never predict how it may manifest.
With Lucy gone, Patches became assertive, needing cuddle time on my bed at night.
Willow watched but did not protest, probably because Toby was then spending most nights with me.
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Two months later, Penny and Toby were gone.
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Before we had got over those losses, Patches was suddenly gone too.
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Almost immediately, Lily came back to me, wanting to sit with me at the computer and sometimes sleeping on my bed at night, demanding to be petted.
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Willow began sleeping on my bed.
Once this happened, Lily backed off a little, certainly not because she’s intimidated by Willow.
Perhaps she’s happy to leave Willow in charge of my emotional health.
Lily is highly sensitive and reads minds.
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In her quiet way, Lily looks after us all.
She is an independent, confident cat that skips to her own tune. Yet she befriended timid Sophia, often sitting with her, as if to keep her company.
Recently, with our numbers so reduced, Sophia has come out of her shell and since then, Lily no longer hangs out by her.
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When Willow arrived I said to her:
“Panther sent you, didn’t he?”
Then a stray black cat attached itself to me as I worked in the garden and eventually followed me inside, so then I laughed, saying it took two to fill Panther’s shoes.
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Blackie likes to be close to me but she has always waited her turn, as if knowing she is low on the seniority list.
With my bed less crowded, she has been spending the night. She curls into me as I read and when I look down, her eyes are glued to my face.
It’s almost disconcerting, but very sweet.
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As I sat at the computer this morning I felt a poke and there was Blackie trying to crawl into my lap, something she has never appeared to want before.
I sat back, welcoming her but she was still just a little unsure. She is not as timid as Sophia, but if you whispered “boo” to her, she would flee at a high rate of speed.
Before she had found the courage to venture further, Muffin arrived on the scene.
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My lap must be available to Muffin at all times.
It’s the House Rules, apparently.
Notice Muffin’s creamy smudge above her mouth? Yeti’s smudge was below, otherwise they are much alike.
Muffin sits as I type, placing her left paw on my hand. I’m not sure if it’s some sort of commentary or a request for me to give up and concentrate on what is more important.
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I’ve always had something of an overage of cats.
Volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah
1998 (or thereabouts)
Thank you for sharing your kitty cat stories, and pictures ❤️
I really enjoy reading about all of their different personalities.
It is so interesting to see how dynamics change, through the years.
Catherine
Thank you, Carolyn, for your moving presentation of all your cats and their personalities, your devotion to their wellbeing is admirable!
Joanna
You have had so many beautiful like creatures in your life – giving them all such a happy and loving home. I love this! I love cats.
Lucy might be my fave. That face, and the way you describe her, she seems like my kind of creature.
I like Thimpu’s squashed face, he looks like the famous ‘Grumpy Cat’ of Internet fame.
An ‘Overage’ of cats is such a good word to describe your situation.
Best wishes, Pete.
You’ve described your cats so beautifully – isn’t it amazing how each has his/her unique personality (and that cats understand each other). I had a great time browsing through your cat photo album – thanks!
I love reading about your cats and seeing their photos. Thanks for being a loving “cat mom”!